Journal 1
Where did the world come from? Why is there evil? What happens after we die? How should we live?
I believe that God created the world and everything in it during the "Seven Days of Creation". He is "the father" of everything in this world.
I honestly do not know a good answer for why there is evil. If I had to give one, I would say there is evil just as there is a wrong and a right choice. Without evil we wouldn't know what is good or how to appreciate the good that we have because of the evil others have experienced. Although some people do not deserve bad things that happen to them, I believe that God has a plan for everyone and some things are just meant to be for a reason only he can understand.
After we die, I think that God reflects upon your whole life including you sins and if you lived by Jesus's teachings. It is stated in the bible that the only way to get to God is through Jesus so if you accept Jesus Christ as your savior, you receive forgiveness for all your sin and go to heaven but if not, hell. We should all live based on the teachings of Jesus, the ten commandments, as well as by our own basic ethics and morals.
Journal 2 DANE: "God! I have so many questions for you! Please take the time to consider at least a few of them." GURU: "As you wish." DANE: "First and most importantly, why is there suffering in this world? Bad things shouldn't happen to good people right?" GURU: "Yes my son, I know it sounds tricky, but the bad karma put out into the world by some people is unfortunately, passed on to others who might not deserve it." DANE: "My second question is how was the world created? I know it is quite vague but, there are many myths and stories as to how and who is responsible for it." GURU: "You are right, there are many stories related to the creation of the universe. I can tell you there is only one truth: the universe was created by me, Brahman, and only me." DANE: My third and final question is how am I going to die and where will I go? GURU: "How you will die is for me to know and you to find out. Where you will go after is dependent on your current life. From what I can see, you are not completely fulfilling your Dharma. Until that point, your destiny is unknown to all of us."
Journal 3
Buddhist Mindfulness is tough to do. For the next three days, try to practice mindfulness. Just start with 5 minutes each day: 5 minutes Friday, 5 minutes Saturday and 5 minutes Sunday. Sit in silence. Observe your thoughts coming and going. If you get distracted, concentrate on your breathing, deep breaths in and out from your nose, controlling the inhalation and exhalation as best as you can. For your journal entry, reflect on the experience. What was it like to be mindful? Why? Was it hard? Easy? Did you notice any particular thoughts to be repetitive? Be thoughtful and detailed.
I found it extremely difficult to sit in a quiet place and do nothing for 5 minutes. My mind would wonder off almost uncontrollably. Repetitive thoughts entered my head multiple times whether it was my lacrosse tournament the next morning, or what I was going to have for dinner. Having two other siblings in my family certainly didn't help at all either. Their constant laughter and loud, playful voices echoed through my door many times, making it even more difficult to rid my mind of any thoughts. However, I did find some peace sitting alone in my bed. I could feel my heart beating slower and slower as I relaxed more and more every minute.
Journal 4
Read the story of the 10 Commandments given to Moses here: Exodus 20 If you were God giving Moses the 10 Commandments all over again, would you change any of them? Who you rearrange, eliminate or add any commandments? Why or why not?
No I wouldn't change any of the 10 commandments. I can't think of possibly altering them because what God did was meant to be. I believe they cover mostly all topics anyway so there isn't anything else I can think of adding. God is omniscient and omnipotent and I am certain he knew exactly what he was doing when creating the 10 commandments.
Journal 5
Think of a time in your life where one of the messages in the parable would have been really useful. In your journal entry explain your experience and explain how Jesus' lesson could be applied to your situation.
One day, my dad and I were driving home from Publix with a week supply of groceries. On the side of the road sat an old homeless man with nothing but a blanket to lay on. We decided we would give him two water bottles we had bought just 5 minutes ago. This story of my own relates to Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan and showing mercy to ones "neighbors". We willingly decided to provide this unfortunate man with something he couldn't afford, but we had an almost infinite supply of.
Where did the world come from? Why is there evil? What happens after we die? How should we live?
I believe that God created the world and everything in it during the "Seven Days of Creation". He is "the father" of everything in this world.
I honestly do not know a good answer for why there is evil. If I had to give one, I would say there is evil just as there is a wrong and a right choice. Without evil we wouldn't know what is good or how to appreciate the good that we have because of the evil others have experienced. Although some people do not deserve bad things that happen to them, I believe that God has a plan for everyone and some things are just meant to be for a reason only he can understand.
After we die, I think that God reflects upon your whole life including you sins and if you lived by Jesus's teachings. It is stated in the bible that the only way to get to God is through Jesus so if you accept Jesus Christ as your savior, you receive forgiveness for all your sin and go to heaven but if not, hell. We should all live based on the teachings of Jesus, the ten commandments, as well as by our own basic ethics and morals.
Journal 2
DANE: "God! I have so many questions for you! Please take the time to consider at least a few of them."
GURU: "As you wish."
DANE: "First and most importantly, why is there suffering in this world? Bad things shouldn't happen to good people right?"
GURU: "Yes my son, I know it sounds tricky, but the bad karma put out into the world by some people is unfortunately, passed on to others who might not deserve it."
DANE: "My second question is how was the world created? I know it is quite vague but, there are many myths and stories as to how and who is responsible for it."
GURU: "You are right, there are many stories related to the creation of the universe. I can tell you there is only one truth: the universe was created by me, Brahman, and only me."
DANE: My third and final question is how am I going to die and where will I go?
GURU: "How you will die is for me to know and you to find out. Where you will go after is dependent on your current life. From what I can see, you are not completely fulfilling your Dharma. Until that point, your destiny is unknown to all of us."
Journal 3
Buddhist Mindfulness is tough to do. For the next three days, try to practice mindfulness. Just start with 5 minutes each day: 5 minutes Friday, 5 minutes Saturday and 5 minutes Sunday. Sit in silence. Observe your thoughts coming and going. If you get distracted, concentrate on your breathing, deep breaths in and out from your nose, controlling the inhalation and exhalation as best as you can. For your journal entry, reflect on the experience. What was it like to be mindful? Why? Was it hard? Easy? Did you notice any particular thoughts to be repetitive? Be thoughtful and detailed.
I found it extremely difficult to sit in a quiet place and do nothing for 5 minutes. My mind would wonder off almost uncontrollably. Repetitive thoughts entered my head multiple times whether it was my lacrosse tournament the next morning, or what I was going to have for dinner. Having two other siblings in my family certainly didn't help at all either. Their constant laughter and loud, playful voices echoed through my door many times, making it even more difficult to rid my mind of any thoughts. However, I did find some peace sitting alone in my bed. I could feel my heart beating slower and slower as I relaxed more and more every minute.
Journal 4
Read the story of the 10 Commandments given to Moses here: Exodus 20 If you were God giving Moses the 10 Commandments all over again, would you change any of them? Who you rearrange, eliminate or add any commandments? Why or why not?
No I wouldn't change any of the 10 commandments. I can't think of possibly altering them because what God did was meant to be. I believe they cover mostly all topics anyway so there isn't anything else I can think of adding. God is omniscient and omnipotent and I am certain he knew exactly what he was doing when creating the 10 commandments.
Journal 5
Think of a time in your life where one of the messages in the parable would have been really useful. In your journal entry explain your experience and explain how Jesus' lesson could be applied to your situation.
One day, my dad and I were driving home from Publix with a week supply of groceries. On the side of the road sat an old homeless man with nothing but a blanket to lay on. We decided we would give him two water bottles we had bought just 5 minutes ago. This story of my own relates to Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan and showing mercy to ones "neighbors". We willingly decided to provide this unfortunate man with something he couldn't afford, but we had an almost infinite supply of.